The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-09-28
JIM POULDER'S MISTAKE.

A pleasant, balmy day in May. The
There was breeze stirring, and though
a cloud of dust was blown in. it was also
blown out, with the exception of tired
portion which stopped to rest on the
clothes of the passengers or burrowed tor
its own safety in their ears and nostrils,
There were only two vacant seats in het
car, and at Pankeap station two persons
came TO fill them. One of these was an
old man-on second look he was prob
ably not over fifty-with iron-gray hair,
partly covered by slouched hat and
clad in new suit of gray that seemed to
have been made for somebody else.
With him was a young and pretty girl,
whose dress was of ordinary stuff, but
well fitting, and who was well gloved
and well shod
The observer would have set down the
two for a well-to-do farmer and his
daughter who were travelling for business
or pleasure. The man looked around.
The two vacant seats were on opposite
sides of the car In one of them sat
young, we'll dressed and apparently self
satisfied gentleman, and the space by his
side was occupied by handbag of croc-
odile leather and spring overcoat. In
the other was another young man not
quite so extravagantly dressed, though
neatly clad and not 50 handsome as the
first, though he had an open and inteili-
gent oountenance. The farmer looked
around and motioning to his daughter,
said
There's a place for you, Lucy"
Then turning to the young man with
the satehel. he asked:
Seat engaged 2'
The young man looked up, curled his
lip supercilliously, and said Man to
fill it will be here presently, / dare
say"
~Ah," said the farmer, coolly removing
the gripsack and overcoat and placing
them on the young mans lap " then
I'll occupy it until he comes" and he
seated himself accordingly, while the
young man glared at him.
The one on the other side looked
amused and then rising, said You
had better exchange seats with me, sir :;
and then the young lady and yourself
will be together"
Thank you" was the farmers
reply, and the exchange was quietly ef-
fected
The two young men were evidently
acquainted, for the courteous one said to
the other, in low voice
" Jim Poulder, you made mistake
there"
a never make mistakes, Frank Bol-
ing replied the other. dare say you
will make your fortune some of these
days by being polite to the granger pop
ulation but my fortune is already
made"
The first speaker said nothing more !;
but, drawing newspaper from his poek-
ct, opened ii, and ran his eye over its
columns
Poulder yawned little, and at last
said
This is too dull for yours faithfully,
James Poulder. III go into the smoking
car and take Whit. Have snifter 7''
he inquired, producing a small pocket
flask
No, thank yoa,r replied Boiling.
That stuff is altogether too fiery for
me-"
Here goes alone, then. That's as fine
brandy as ever crossed the ocean. Day
day. Keep an eye on my traps, will you.
and don't give up my seat to every coun-
try yokel who asks it ~
The elegant yonng gentleman shook
himself, and made his way forward to
the car especially provided for funiga-
ton.
When he had gone the old man lean
ed on the arm of his seat and addressed
Boiling:
Excuse me. sir; but didn't your friend
who has lefs say that his name was James
PoulderY"
THAT'S his name. SIR replied the
young man, but he is not exactly
friend Of mine, though he lives in the
same place, and / know him very
we'll"
May inquire where he is from?"
Yes. sir; Csreysburg-'